The Hades Factor

Covert-One #1

by Robert Ludlum, Gayle Lynds

An unknown doomsday virus quickly claims the lives of four people across the country --- including Dr. Sophia Russell, a researcher leading the team trying to crack the disease. Devastated and enraged, her fiance, Lt. Colonel Jonathan Smith, uncovers evidence that his lover's death was no accident --- that someone out there has the virus, and the pandemic that threatens countless millions of lives was planned.

Not knowing where to turn or whom to trust, Smith assembles a private team to aid his fight against the deadly virus. While the death toll mounts rapidly, their quest leads them to the highest levels of power and the darkest corners of the earth, as Smith and his team match wits with a determined genius out to destroy them, with the fate of the world in the balance ...

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Espionage, Suspense, Action, Adventure

420 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 20, 2000

About the author

Robert Ludlum was a titan of the suspense genre, whose name became synonymous with the modern international spy thriller. Before amassing a staggering readership estimated between 300 and 500 million copies, Ludlum forged a career in the theater as a Marine veteran turned actor and producer. This theatrical background proved foundational to his literary success; he often credited his sense of pacing and "what-happens-next" urgency to his years on stage. Writing from his home in New Jersey, he crafted 27 novels characterized by "lone wolf" protagonists battling shadowy global conspiracies, corrupt corporations, and clandestine military organizations.
Ludlum is most famous as the creator of Jason Bourne, the amnesiac assassin who first appeared in The Bourne Identity (1980). While the blockbuster film adaptations starring Matt Damon brought the character to a new generation, Ludlum's original trilogy delved deeper into the Cold War paranoia and intricate psychological trauma of the protagonist. His work often drew inspiration from contemporary conspiracy theories, such as rumors surrounding the Trilateral Commission, and he frequently explored the idea of terrorism as a tool for authoritarian manipulation. Even after his death in 2001, his literary estate has continued to expand his universe through video games and posthumous collaborations, cementing his legacy as a master of the "ticking clock" narrative.

Reviews

[K.D. Absolutely · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to admit now: Robert Ludlum is my guilty pleasure.

His books are addictive. I don't mind having him as my most-read author. His stories give me cheap thrills. Cheap in both literal and figurative senses. Literal because his books are being sold for about $1 or $2 and they flood the second-hand bookshops. Figurative because whenever I mention to my literary friends that I love Robert Ludlum, I do not get thumbs up unlike when I say that my favorite author is Leo Tolstoy or Alan Hollinghurst.

Robert Ludlum is so commercial that it is almost expected that any thirtyish or fortyish man like me would at some point in his life, read all the Ludlum books available in the marketplace. Nobody pays attention if a man (or even a woman) reads or even professes his admiration to his works. It is like John Grisham or Dan Brown for the current generation. Or maybe my non-literary reader-friends would still be in awe if they hear somebody reading Dan Brown since it's been only a decade ago when the duo bestsellers, The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons hit the market.

The Hades Factor started the Covert One series so it was here where Sgt. Jon Smith was introduced. It was in this book where his girlfriend and fellow scientist, Sarah Russell died because of viral epidemic. I thought I felt that the event in the book was similar to the SARS that started in Hong Kong in 2003. I thought that maybe Ludlum was inspired by that event. Then I noticed that this book was first published in 2000, a year before Ludlum died. So, Ludlum actually sort of predicted that some kind of disease from monkey would spread throughout the world 3 years before it actually happened.

So, if Aldous Huxley predicted the use of hallucinatory drugs for brainwashing or cloning of babies, Robert Ludlum predicted the spread of monkey (or fowl) virus worldwide. It's quite creepy thinking about all these good novelists being able to predict some catastrophic events in the near future.

A film shooting of another movie of the Bourne series is being shot here in Manila. That's one reason why I also picked this book. I wanted to go to the shooting to watch until I realized that it is Robert Ludlum who I admire and not some kind of crappy second-rate actor. Sorry, I just miss Matt Damon. Why the hell they decided to let go of him?

I have to complete this series. One of the best book series that I've read.

[Pierre (Enjoying Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I read a few of the other Covert-One books and never was able to latch on to the Hades Factor. The one that started it all. Great book, lots of action and expaination setting the stage for John Smith's future. If youhaven't read any of this series yet...give this book a try.

[Pierre (Enjoying Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is excellent and, even though I’ve read it twice …it is a good foundation for the series.

[Keeper of Sorrows and Shadows (Formerly known as: The Pirate Ghost) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Robert Ludlum. This book has the oddest set of characters ever in a Robert Ludlum book of international intrigue. This is a better spy novel than most spy novels.

Dr. Smith, morning the loss of his fiance' joins the hunt for her killer and finds out it was no lab accident. He has to call in every marker and favor from his past in counter espionage, a world he had thought he had left behind, to keep himself out of jail and alive long enough to save...the planet? From a deadly viral killer.

Some of the characters were, Clive Cusslerishly larger than life, but generally Gauyle Lynds and Ludlum manage to keep them under control. The story is generally tight and the pace moves from fast to feverishly fast.

I enjoyed this book (and the sequel) very much. This isn't quite as cerebral as James Rollins (if one can call action adventure "Cerebral") but it is very complex. It's a little weak on character development past the main three, all men, but there is potential to "flesh out" a couple more in future stories.

More to it than your average germ-o-phobia case.

[Dave Wickenden · Rating 4 out of 5]

When someone unleashes a deadly virus which kills his fiancé, Lt. Colonel Jonathan Smith, a Viral Biologist must find out who is behind the outbreak or watch as the world faces a pandemic that is man-made and preventable. But those he is fighting against hold all the power and the cards.

A tale that timely and terrifying in our own troubled times. The action and suspense make for an exciting ride which is the first in the Covert series.

[Stewart Sternberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know Ludlum and this isn't Ludlum. We live in an age where authors have become brands after their death. Robert B. Parker, Robert Ludlum, James Patterson (he's alive but his soul is spent.)

This novel is too long, there are too many plot holes, and the pacing is tedious. I can't belive I finished it. And I'll probably read another because I'm a masochist.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Hades Factor" is a thriller that I found fascinating. Ludlum portrays the evil character in such a believable fashion. Pandemics, pandemonium, blackmail on a massive scale - what more could a reader ask for?

[هادی امینی · Rating 3 out of 5]

به خود رمان 4 ستاره میدم، ولی یک ستاره به خاطر ترجمه کم کردم.
داستان جالبی داشت. خیلی هیجان‌انگیز و پر از شخصیت‌های مختلف و متنوع که در فضاهای مختلفی حضور داشتند. فقط پایان داستان خیلی غیرمنتظره نبود و خیلی زود معلوم شد که نتیجه چیه.

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically a quick read, (just grabbed it on the way out the door leaving for a trip), typical Ludlum (but not as good as earlier ones), [Spoiler Alert] where the beautiful lover of protagonist is killed, which sets him off on a quest to find those responsible. Far-fetched plot of virulent virus that is purposely manufactured and spread by evil leader of pharmaceutical company so that he can become even more wealthy by "miraculously" (and very conveniently) having millions of doses of the cure available (for a previously unknown virus--just a tad suspicious?!?). There were some interesting characters, like Marty, the eccentric computer wizard, Peter the Brit, and Samson the Doberman guard dog (but then I am biased toward Dobermans :-).

A long, long time ago, I had really enjoyed a few Ludlum novels, so I thought it might be time to read another of his books (after originally thinking the plots and characters were getting too repetitive, so I had to quit reading them). Apparently, twenty years was not long enough time in between reading his stuff again. Maybe I'll try again in another twenty years. ;-)

[L.M. Krier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone else put it very eruditely. 'Mostly crap, but mildly entertaining'. That just about sums up my feelings for it.

If you like stereotypical characters, you're in for a real treat as they're all here in spades. The American Army doctor with impressive combat skills whose fiancée dies of the mysterious virus they're researching. Central Casting's perfect nerdy tech expert, complete with somewhat improbable autism. The ex-SAS officer who, together with his trained Doberman combat dog, is invincible against all the odds.

I read this in French translation and I suspect the translator got a bit bored with it all as they made errors with character names in places which didn't help.

It's a light and easy read, perfect for a long journey, or if you're laid up with some illness or injury. It's not brilliant, it's not original, but it's harmless fun, in a very Boys' Own sort of way.

Did Ludlum himself write it or was his name just used to entice readers when most of the work was done by co-writer Gayle Lynds? Who knows, but if you're expecting classic Ludlum you may well be disappointed.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very fast paced & full of suspense. The drama starts at the very beginning & continues to the very last page. A book I'd recommend to all.

[Matthew Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

i brought the mini series of this in 2016 and after the first 5 minutes ordered the book , sadly back then for a few years due to not being able to concentrate on reading much due to being in bad marriage witch included having a worse step son who liked to scream at me 22 hours of the day ( hence the lack of concentration) i thought id better try not to enjoy this yet fast forward 7 ish years i saw this shelf and thought i should read this now , i picked it up and for 5 minutes my hands shook with memories of loosing my house , my kitten ( he was 5 months old so not sure if he was a cat buy then ) for a couple of months it was my best friend that kitten . and i thought ive waited so long so i started reading . this is an absolutely fantastic book , the mini series is a lot different but i just count it as the 12th covert one story , from the first page it was continues action , chases , shocks and after recent years - omg! moments when i finished the book i held it looked at it , had a tear drop for obvious reasons i guess but now i can enjoy the rest of a series that have been waiting for me for years, at long lost , on to the cassandra compact !

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three persons fall victim to an awful and deadly virus and the scientists can't seem to figure it out... When Lt. Col. Smith returns from overseas he's attacked by some strange folk and then his fiancée also dies from this damned virus...
Can he and his team figure it out and prevent it and the evil fools behind this whole ill scheme from gaining more victims?

An exciting tale for thriller lovers...

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great suspense, reads more like a down to earth Jason Bourne, rather than over the top James Bond. Action packed, even thought it is a little cliched with the fantastic looking people with haunted pasts ect ect.

[Leothefox · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually finish every book I start, but I cried uncle on this one at page 212.

This is not so much a book as it is bullet-point stereo-instructions, lifeless and soulless “action thriller” crap that's as brainless as it is lazy.

What is wrong with Ludlum's “Covert One”? Well, for one, none of the people in it are really characters. Each player here is more like an action figure, given an appearance and a stat or two, but nothing to make them human. Our hero is a doctor/soldier/“badass” named Jonathan Smith who proved to be as bland and uninteresting as his name. He burns for very bland revenge as he harries the plot of a villain who has a conspiracy working involving a virus. All of the villains are known to the reader and none of their allegiances are in question, since the book cheats out to cover what everybody does, says, and thinks.

The story, like the writing, is purely mechanical. I'm never expecting literature, but I figure a decent writer, hack though they may be, has a duty to invest some life and personality into any product they put out. “Covert One: The Hades Factor”, however, is so thoroughly generic and workmanlike that it never does anything with the material. It's like a cook who has no interest in pleasing the taste-buds, so they simply churn out nutriloaf.

Nearly every person in this story is supposed to be some kind of genius, many possessing a PHD or two. They never convey this through dialogue or actions, yet the narrator reminds us all that they have high stats and are wicked smart. This is more fuel for a growing theory of mine that writers who insist their characters are brilliant do so to cover up their own idiocy.

This book was an utter chore, and it's one I'll leave unfinished. On almost every page I found a source of irritation, from the Wikipedia-like travelogue blurbs about each location, to the awful dialogue, to the embarrassing and inescapable reminders that this is a “cutting-edge” thriller from 2000 (Hussein alive, the internet explained, Aspergers called an “affliction” ).

Every single thing that happened was buried in labored explanation, drawn out to the stretching point without any trace of levity or playfulness. You can't feel for the hero over the murder of his girlfriend as she was a non-character with an off-the-shelf romance who took too long to die anyway.

To be clear: I hated everything about this book and I regret ever starting it.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I should explain that I have read the book twice and seen the movie twice. Second, I am a big fan of Robert Ludlum's work. This is one of Ludlum's best efforts and I highly recommend either/both the book and the movie.

The story opens with the start of a plague. First a couple of soldiers die, then other people. Clearly easy to spread this disease and clearly it is deadly. No cure. Early the story takes on a mid-east terrorist theme and we begin to learn the disease is being spread by the terrorists. As the team at "Covert One" (a secret US government intelligence agency) ramps-up, we learn that the terrorists have a method of deployment of this airborne virus that will be very effective. The story mostly focuses on where did the original virus come from and who is causing it to be spread. There are some plot twists slowing down the investigation (like murder of some key people). While the story seems to be exclusively a bio-terrorist plot, there is a big plot twist where the terrorists are simply the agent of the people who are really behind the plot.

A well told story with building suspense. Alot of reality in the story which is chilling to imagine this could really happen (i.e. it ain't sci-fi; it could happen). In the real world, we have seen SARS, Bird Flu and recently H1N1 Flu effecting the population; what if the disease is more deadly than these? What if it spread widely? Yes, this is an exciting, suspenseful story. This is an exciting race against time to save the world! I highly recommend it!

[Somnath Banerjee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard covert-one novel. As usual the plot is good, like other novels of the series. A deliberately engineered lethal virus is spread to cause a pandemic, for financial profits and it kills the fiancee of Smith, the protagonist. He starts an investigation which leads to capture of the powerful nexus. The story is decently paced, but at times paused by emotional ramblings. My favorite character is Marty, the computer geek. I could spot some minor flaws in the story line. If I got the chronology correct, Smith was attacked before Sophia got involved in the case, which has not reason. Attack on Smith should have been preceded by Sophia's involvement. Next the murder of Director of NHI, who deleted phone/lab records and was subsequently run over, was never investigated, while it should have given important clues. Even if the author wanted to highlight it as a humanly mistake of the protagonist, it should have mentioned in third person. Overall a good book.

[Raashi Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

First things first, the name suits the theme. An insidious virus that is waiting to unleash its true potential to turn the planet into the Hades. A thrilling odyssey involving the materialistic lust of Dr. Victor Tremont of Blanchard Pharmaceuticals for which he is willing to go to any lengths and Dr. Sophia Russel's fiance's and her sister's quest to end the pestilence and Dr. Tremont's diabolic plans make a riveting read. Besides this book sets the balls rolling for the Jonnathan Smith getting anointed to the Covert gang! A must read for people looking out for t.v. episode like heebie-jeebies in a book.

[Adelyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

The first book in the Covert One series, of which I have read and enjoyed other books of. This is basically an introduction to Jon Smith and the various people that he runs to when he is in trouble (i.e. a lot) as well as an introduction to how Covert One came to be in the first place. I love Jon Smith and so this was a fun one to read from that respect, but also was supported by a solid thriller story in itself.

I liked how quickly we were plunged into the action with this one, hitting right where it hurts with Sophia's death from the virus . While it was obvious to me from quite close to the start who the culprit was - I kept waiting for a twist that never came, but I suppose I am more used to the newer thrillers with more twists and turns than was typical at the time that this was written - but I enjoyed the relatively simple storyline in the "whodunnit" aspect in favour of more character development and getting to know Jon a bit more .

I only dropped a star because (and this will be true of all of Ludlum's books, they just don't fit my style in that sense) of all the chasing-each-other-around chapters that I found overly Rambo.

[Kym Gamble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with good character development. The book is a little long and could be a few chapters shorter. There is a lot of action in the book and the subject kind of scary in this time of pandemic. But it is worth reading.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book itself might have been 4 stars, but the narrator sounded like he thought it was a 1940s mafia story, and had obviously not read ahead. His pronunciation of certain common words was odd or just plain wrong.

[Kelly Bragg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Ludlum page-turner! I enjoyed the book, though it was a bit slow in the middle. Still, it did entice me to search out the next book in the Covert-One series!

[Kevin Reeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love Ludlum!!!

Suspense, intrigue, international mysteries and of course enough action to keep your heart rate accelerated. Jon Smith is set to avenge his girls death and save the world. A great volume 1.

[Fenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very predictable, but a fun and exciting read, so that would make a 3.5 rating for me but gr sucks and doesn't have half stars

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable. Thoroughly good read.

[Hayley Life.Books.&.Grem · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Hades Factor — ★★☆☆☆

This book follows Dr Jon Smith as he becomes entangled in a deadly conspiracy involving a rapidly spreading virus, corporate greed, international politics, and bioterrorism. What begins as a medical mystery quickly expands into a globe-spanning thriller involving intelligence agencies, military operations, and a race to prevent a catastrophe.

As someone who enjoys virus and outbreak fiction, I was excited to pick this up. The prologue was actually one of my favourite parts of the book. The early cases of the virus were genuinely intriguing and immediately created a sense of mystery and urgency.

Unfortunately, as the story progressed, I found myself less invested than I expected to be.

Going into this, I was expecting more of a virus thriller. Instead, a significant portion of the book focuses on espionage, intelligence operations, military action, and the political situation in Iraq at the time. Readers who enjoy geopolitical thrillers will likely get much more out of this book than I did.

The novel feels very much like a product of its time. The Iraq storyline is heavily rooted in the geopolitical climate of the late 1990s and early 2000s, with frequent references to Saddam Hussein, sanctions, embargoes, intelligence agencies, and regional politics. While some of the themes remain relevant, parts of the story felt dated to me as a modern reader.

I also found myself regularly skimming some of the descriptive sections. There were times when lengthy descriptions interrupted the momentum between action and dialogue. As someone who visualises scenes very easily while reading, I found my attention occasionally drifting during these sections.

One thing that surprised me was that I never really connected with Jon Smith as a protagonist. He was competent and capable, but I never became particularly invested in him as a character. Instead, I found myself enjoying Marty and Peter far more. Their banter and developing friendship added some much-needed personality and were often the moments I enjoyed most.

There were definitely aspects of the story that worked. The reveals surrounding Randi and Dr Mahuk genuinely surprised me, and I found the conspiracy itself more interesting than many of the action sequences.

However, I never became particularly invested in the gunfights, car chases, and military-style action scenes. If those are the elements you enjoy most in a thriller, you’ll probably appreciate this book far more than I did.

The ending felt very much like a classic ex-military action movie. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t especially memorable either.

Overall, this wasn’t really my type of thriller, but I can absolutely see why fans of military action, espionage, and geopolitical thrillers would enjoy it. While I didn’t love it, I don’t regret reading it, and I think it will appeal strongly to the right audience.

******** SPOILERS BELOW ********

Tropes

* Bioterrorism
* Global conspiracy
* Race against time
* Ex-military hero
* Government agencies
* Corporate greed
* Deadly virus outbreak
* International espionage

Genre

* Primary: Thriller
* Sub-genres: Medical Thriller, Espionage Thriller, Political Thriller

Thoughts & Twists

* The prologue featuring the first virus victims was one of the strongest parts of the book for me.
* I was surprised by both the Randi reveal and the Dr Mahuk reveal.
* I found the corporate antivirus conspiracy more interesting than many of the action scenes.
* Marty and Peter ended up being my favourite characters because I enjoyed their banter and friendship development.
* Jon Smith never really became a memorable protagonist for me.
* The descriptions of female characters often felt dated and occasionally pulled me out of the story.
* The Iraq sections felt heavily tied to the political climate of the time in which the book was written.
* I spent much of the book wishing there was more focus on the outbreak itself and less focus on the military and espionage elements.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: an unknown virus claims the lives of four people, including researcher Dr. Sophia Russell. Her fiance is certain it was no accident.

[-Curious- · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although there are no specific spoilers from the story itself, this commentary may be considered a "conceptual spoiler" by some...so, better safe than sorry.

I enjoyed this book, but I have to admit to some mid-book annoyance at the parallels this story has to Ludlum's wildly successful Bourne franchise.

Protagonist against the corrupt system...complex conspiracy involving highly placed people...antagonists capable of manipulating all levels of law enforcement and even governments...seemingly insurmountable barriers...blindly motivated protagonist to do 'what's right'...etc, etc..

After I accepted that Ludlum was working from a previously successful recipe and only slightly altering his ingredients, I looked to see if the new recipe was going to be an improvement, or if it was going to spiral down into the abyss occupied by the New Coke and other ill conceived reformulations.

Happily for me, the reformulation appeared to be successful. In my opinion, the improvements over Bourne were mostly achieved by surrounding the protagonist with interesting proteges, as opposed to revisiting the one-(unbelievably diversified)-man-against-the-world premise. I realize that Bourne had proteges too, but he was the only person with relevant skills, whereas Dr Smith is capable in many ways, but his associates are each uniquely capable in areas he is not, thereby making Smith much more believable as a character.

I wasn't blown away by this book, but I enjoyed it enough to do exactly what Ludlum hoped every reader would do; I'm going to read the second book in the series.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

As if I am not in the middle of enough series I thought I would start another one. My initial reaction was going towards four stars and then it went down a slippery slope to somewhere around 3 and a quarter. This is a very good book and very well written so why did I smack it down a bit? Well lets say this was a little on the PG, slipping towards the G rating. It seems like some of the situations where a good dose of violence should be doled out it was more like the bad guys just got a spanking and then were sent on there way. So if a person likes the suspense/thriller genre but does not want a lot of over the top violence here you go. There is some violence so I may have to say it would lean more towards the PG rating. Anyhow I will pick up the next in the series at some point in time just to see where this is going to lead off to. Maybe after I read something a bit more disturbing and am looking for a lighter read.

[Mad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book Synopsis:

Read the book Summary from it's GoodReads Library entry.
I had previously read another book in this series; so was looking forward to seeing how the story/series began. I was disappointed.

The story itself was OK, but the whole "Covert-One" aspect was literally first touched in the Epilogue. It felt like a marketing gimmick added to an existing novel.

Plus I felt that this author had a very poor sense of time (small scale gun battles taking 5+ minutes, running a hundred yards measured in minutes, etc); & tactics (rapidly moving from side to side while firing to simulate two people, in broad daylight ... right).

I'll try another book in this series; however I will likely avoid this author in the future. (Gayle Lynds, not Robert Ludlum)